So I've finished my trip on Memorial Day weekend and it was great! Here are some of my general impressions and observations.
The Cardinal - Train 51
Passengers and Crew
We boarded from Penn Station at about 6:30 am and were directed to the approperiate car (People heading to Chicago were seated in the last coach car - in front of the Diner-Lounge). To my surprise there were about 4 or 5 people heading straight to Chicago. We gradually picked up more people along the route before we got to Washington - most were for points in Virginia and West Virginia.
Interesting note - the train was not fully staffed until we reached DC - only a conductor, assistant conductor, and SA for the snack portion of the lounge car. The snack portion of the lounge car did not open till Baltimore (no food available from NYP to BAL) and full meal service started for lunch, after we left DC. Following our departure from DC, a coach attendant and the dinner car server (LSA?) joined the train.
We were sold out for most of the trip - each coach was jammed packed. And just as many of you predicted, the train turned over quite a bit. The first large turnover was in Charlottesville, Second in Cincinnati, Third in Indianapolis. As for sleeping in coach - I was shocked to find out it was one of the best night sleeping I've ever had on a train (and those other times have been in a sleeper!)
Scenery
Quite impressive - Climbing through the foothills of Virginia and West Virginia leading into the New River Gorge is a trip that I recommend for all. And even though I was heading westbound, I think I got in a good majority of the scenery before darkness hit. We were just coming into the outskirts of Charleston WV when it was difficult to see outside. There were definitely a few jaw dropping moments.
Amfleet Diner-Lite
This was my first experience with this setup and I must say, overall I was impressed. I ordered the ravioli, which was actually quite good. It was served piping hot and was very tasty. I had a chocolate bundt cake for desert which was pretty good - all though I did watch the server take the bundt cake directly out of a card board box and place it on a plate
The design and space available for the car was a little bit cramped. I wouldn't say it was poorly designed - everything seemed to "fit where it was placed" but there was a huge lack of space. The server had her supplies and such placed on a half table in the dinning section and another table in the cafe section was used for storage. There was a liquor cabinet at one end of the car and a large freezer towards the other end. The preparation area also seemed to be lacking a significant amount of space.
But overall, I came to eat the food and to be served in a timely manner (which I was).
An "On-Time" Trip
We left NYP on time and arrive into WAS on time as well. We lost about 20 minutes getting to Alexandra and stayed about 20 - 30 minutes down until we hit Indianapolis. From here we departed on time (630 am) but had to wait to enter and leave the Lafayette IN station - which costs us 20 minutes. Following this, we arrive into CHI at 10:45, 10 minutes late.
The Capitol Limited - Train 30
When I had checked in at the Metropolitan Lounge, they had asked me to make dinner reservations and told me to return by 6pm. I chose the earliest reservations at 6:30.
I had the steak for dinner - which was pretty good, although I don't know if I'd pay 21 dollars for it. It was served with beans and a baked potato. The rolls served were excellent - as they were a bit warm and seasoned nicely. The salads have definitely improved - a wider selection of greens, croutons, and vegetables.
The Capitol Limited was jammed packed and the dinning car was hopping. Each seating was filled and they had to add a few extra on. There were at least 4 servers and the sleeping car/coach attendants came into help as well. What was really interesting was that there were a 5 managers on board, heading home from a meeting. Each of these managers helped out in the dinning car - wether it was setting tables and bringing out food. One of the managers, who turned out to be a supervisor for food services, did not stop working throughout the entire trip. Whether it was taking orders, bringing out food, clearing plates, ringing up bills. It was quite impressive to see her (an all other managers) devotion and work ethic. Additionally, it was evident that there was a mutual respect between the staff and the managers - as they would joke around and also talk casually to each other. It was very impressive to watch.
The Capitol ran on time for most of the trip and arrived into DC around 1:41 pm, for a scheduled 2:00 pm arrival time.
While both of these trains are different - with the Cardinal being the runt of Amtrak's LD litter, I found the service to be great and similiar across both trains. Never have I met more friendly people - staff or passengers - on each train. I would do this trip again tomorrow if I could!
If anyone has any additional questions, please ask!